How about some props for Dewey Pierotti, who has held down the fort as both president and interim director of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District for nine months? At 78, he plans to serve out his term and is waiting for the board to find a suitable replacement -- but then, he'll cut the ties. "I won't even vote on it," he says.

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State Rep. Carol Sente's plan to limit tackling at youth and high school football practices is a tricky subject. The effort to protect our youth is to be applauded, yes, but this is football. And football is tackling. Tough call. The plan was rejected, but "this conversation will continue," said Sente, a Vernon Hills Democrat. As the discussion should.

Movement, at least:

Interestingly, it's the state House that's now showing the most assertiveness in addressing the pension crisis. The Senate is bogged down with its own interpretation of the Illinois Constitution. But COLA issues have to be part of the solution, and the House made some progress on them this week. Don't let up.

Enough already:

Remember a few weeks back when we talked of how the late winter snow and frosty temps would be but a memory by mid-March? Well ... we thought so.

Musical diplomacy:

Students from a pair of Lake County schools left this week to show off their musical abilities to audiences overseas. The Lake Zurich High School choir will perform four times in Italy, including at Vatican City. The Libertyville High School orchestra is in Cuba to perform and to donate musical and sports equipment. Making music, making friends.

It's the little things:

Thanks in part to a fare increase, Metra is boosting its car-cleaning brigade. Please, Metra, make sure those 31 new hires wipe all the cold germs off the hand rails.

More like craters:

The potholes in the Buffalo Grove Town Center are so bad that village officials have threatened to drag the center's owner to court. Which should be a reminder to road crews and public works folks all over the suburbs that it's spring now and this might be a good time to fill those suckers in.

Take care on the tracks:

While an 11-year-old Barrington boy's injuries from being hit by a Metra train are serious, we are thankful it wasn't worse. When crossing the tracks with friends last week, he waited for one train to pass and then accidentally stepped in front of another train going the opposite direction. It's a mistake anyone could make, and one we all can learn from.

A virtual book club:

Wednesday was the launch of a valuable new initiative by the Illinois Reading Council. "Illinois Reads" is a website that suggests books by local authors and encourages readers of all ages to join conversations about them online. Check it out at illinoisreads.org.

Rest in peace, Rob Komosa:

Rob Komosa's name has become synonymous with perseverance. And inspiration. For 13 years after his life-altering football accident, he never showed resentment or pointed fingers, all while spreading a positive spirit to everyone he met. Komosa will be buried today. If we all could embrace his attitude toward life, the world truly would be a better place.

We're less healthy:

The suburbs have slipped this year in ranks of the healthiest Illinois counties. DuPage County fell from third to sixth, Lake from ninth to at 16th, McHenry from fifth to 17th and Kane from eighth to 12th. Cook, which includes Chicago, was 78th. There are many factors involved, but it kind of makes you want to grab an apple or take the stairs, doesn't it?

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